THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES
M AY 2020
Planning for a new day
As lockdown continues and suspensions are extended, an industry plots its return
Standstill. No industry has been hit as hard or as fast by COVID-19 as travel. The situation is changing all the time, so make sure you keep up with the latest advice on changes to the industry and what they mean for you.
Download for FREE today www.businesscompanion.info/focus/coronavirus
Coronavirus bulletin
Coronavirus bulletin The best way to keep up to date www.businesscompanion.info/focus/coronavirus Travel
May 2020 | Forward EDITOR’S LETTER
Sticking together in these difficult times CRUISE ADVISER
Since we last wrote to you a month ago, the travel industry – and the wider world – has changed beyond recognition. Britons from across the globe have been repatriated and MSC Magnifica, Pacific Princess and Costa Deliziosa – the very last guest-carrying cruise ships at sea – have returned home. They joined a host of vessels, including the likes of Coral Princess, Zaandam Planning for and Columbus, forced to take circuitous routes back a new day to land, with ports refusing access to even those ships free of confirmed cases of Covid-19. On the surface the cruise industry has ground to a halt: ships are no longer sailing and thousands working in travel, including many in the cruise sector, have been furloughed, stock prices have fallen and marketing has mostly stopped. Of course, that is only half the truth – many people are still working behind the scenes, reassuring the trade, dealing with customers and planning for the future, keeping the industry alive as we look towards autumn, winter and 2021. As we have written before, the cruise industry is resilient and has overcome many challenges before. But it is also true that coronavirus’s impact is unprecedented in the modern age. It is our view – as noted in Jane Archer’s column, How to Sell: After Lockdown, on p27 – that past customers, who are incredibly loyal to cruise and their favourite brands, will provide the launchpad from which the industry re-emerges. Euan Sutherland, the CEO of Saga, has said the company has “a pretty stoic and determined group” of guests. “There is a huge appetite from our customers to get back out there,” he added. At the time of writing, some European countries – including two of the worst hit, Italy and Spain – are easing lockdowns. It remains to be seen what effect this has, and how the UK government, which was too slow to react as the pandemic spread and continues to miss testing targets despite claims to the contrary, navigates the country out of this. Then and only then can accurate predictions be made about the future of travel in this country. For now all we can do say positive, look out for each other, and diligently plan for future. We hope to see you all soon. THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES
M AY 2 0 2 0
JANUARY 2019 CA-43
As lockdown continues and suspensions are extended, an industry plots its return
How we are helping you during the pandemic
Across Waterfront Publishing titles, which include cruise adviser, our aim is to report, reassure and rebuild. That is: report news as it happens, reassure the trade, and help to rebuild confidence in the industry. To facilitate that we have:
• •
Launched a new weekly email for Cruise Adviser, The Cruise Digest, which is out every Wednesday. See cruise-adviser.com/subscribe Produced a guide to cruise line cancellation policies
We will be inviting industry leaders to share their thoughts on what the future of tourism looks like, to pressure the government to take urgent measures to protect the travel industry, and to educate and reassure agents. As the lockdown continues, we have produced this special digitalonly version of the May cruise adviser and will to ensure it is not landing in empty shops.
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
3
cruise adviser is brought to you by Waterfront Publishing
Publisher Sam Ballard sam@cruise-adviser.com Publisher Anthony Pearce anthony@cruise-adviser.com
Senior sales manager Bryan Johnson bryan@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9338 Sales manager Rory Collins rory@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 4815 Graphic design Matthew Coles, The Studio Sub-editor Nathaniel Cramp, Emily Eastmen Waterfront Publishing 12-18 Hoxton Street London N1 6NG info@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9360 Digital cruise-adviser.com facebook.com/cruiseadviser twitter.com/cruiseadviser cruise adviser is published 11 times a year by Waterfront (registered no: 08707515). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
----Waterfront Publishing is an award-winning independent magazine publisher based in central London. It creates print, mobile and online media and provides editorial, design, proofreading and marketing. Trade magazines Waterfront has two in-house magazines: Cruise Adviser, a multi-award winning cruise magazine, and Solus, the only travel trade publication dedicated to solo travel, both of which are aimed at travel agents. Waterfront also produces ABTA Magazine on behalf of ABTA, the Travel Association. The magazine forms the centrepiece of a range of ABTA publications including an ABTA Magazine World Travel Market special edition; a series of ABTA Magazine destination and trend supplements; ABTA Golf and the ABTA Country Guides. In October 2019, ABTA Magazine won Trade Publication of the Year at the Travel Media Awards. Contract publishing Waterfront offers contract publishing services and has produced magazines for Travelzoo; Emerald Waterways, the Cruise Lines International Association, UK and Ireland (Clia); Cruise & Maritime Voyages; The Travel Village, JV Pastor Groupe and Advantage Travel Partnership. The Studio In September 2018, Waterfront launched a new creative agency. The Studio by Waterfront specialises in design solutions across print, web and social media. The Studio offers a tailored approach for all clients, with copywriting, proofreading and design elements available. It has produced advertising for the likes of Saga, the Egyptian Tourism Authority, Royal Caribbean International, Visit Miyagi and Azamara Club Cruises and has provided proofreading services for Reed Smith, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Widgety and AMA Marketing & Media Relations. Trend forecasting In summer 2019, Waterfront Publishing formed a joint venture with Globetrender, a trend forecasting agency dedicated to the future of travel. It specialises in forward-looking, consumerfacing editorial, as well as trend reports, research and consulting services for the travel industry. See Globetrender.com
May 2020 | Forward
FORWARD 3
Editor’s letter
6
News Covid-19 continues to impact the cruise indusry and wider travel as operators look towards the future
10
Cancellations From A-Rosa to Windstar, details of temporary changes to cruise line cancellation policies and extensions to sailing suspensions
14
18
Ports of call: Avignon Anthony Pearce makes a stop at the popular Rhône destination, whose medieval sites and cultural calendar come with an irresistible Mediterranean vibe Feature: Straight from the source Sam Ballard takes a trip
Top: Chilean Patagonia (p22); Uniworld on the Ganges, India (p18)
22
with Uniworld on the Ganges, pausing to soak up life and lore along India’s sacred waterway
27
How to sell: after lockdown Cruise expert Jane Archer on picking the right cruises for returning customers
Feature: The forces of nature Emma Love cruises the remote Chilean side of Patagonia, where mountains loom, glaciers calve and wildlife thrives uninterrupted
31
Directory All the cruise line contact details in one place
Email info@cruise-adviser. com to share your thoughts
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
4
2
YEA
PLAN THE DREAM IN THE ARCTIC AND ANTARCTICA
Dreaming and planing ahead is easy with our new relaxed booking policy for 2021 Arctic and 2021/ 2022 Antarctic programs. Free reservations hold for two months, and a reduced deposit of just 10% to confirm the trip. Plus, early booking savings are in place!
Email: sales@poseidonexpeditions.com
Phone: 0203 369 0020
Web: poseidonexpeditions.com
NEWS
Do you have a story for us? Email info@cruise-adviser.com
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Embracing the ‘new normal’ may mean restricting guests numbers, say Bouldin The line’s vice president EMEA says it is ‘looking at absolutely everything’ as Royal Caribbean Cruises launches trade initiatives across its five brands The number of guests allowed to sail is likely to be restricted in a postcoronavirus landscape, according to the boss of Royal Caribbean. Ben Bouldin, the company’s vice president EMEA, said that he was anticipating increased screening and a bigger focus on medical facilities on board when the cruise industry does start sailing again. Speaking to trade partners during the line’s first Cafe Royal event, Bouldin added that social distancing on board would be the new normal, including around the pool and in restaurants. He added: “Until there’s a vaccine, we’re trying to understand what the new normal is. Things will be really different. Be reassured we are looking at absolutely everything.” Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd – the parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara and Silversea – recently launched RCL Cares, a new initiative to support UK and Ireland
travel agents during the coronavirus pandemic. The new hub, which mirrors an initiative in the States, offers information “from wellbeing support for families to links to UK government and Abta advice to businesses, trade FAQs and contact details for sales support teams”. New policy details and corporate messaging is also available. Bouldin explained: “We can’t emphasise enough how integral our trade partners are to our business and how valued they are to us, which is why we have launched RCL Cares; a centralised platform to make it as easy as possible for our trade partners to find the information they need.” Jo Rzymowska, vice president & managing director EMEA, Celebrity Cruises added: “This is one of the most challenging periods our industry has seen and naturally we want to support our trade partners in any way that we can. Whether
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
6
that’s by sharing our latest branded content, updated policies or even supporting with wellbeing activities for the family, we hope RCL Cares will help ease the pressure during this difficult time.” Peter Shanks, managing director UK, Ireland, Middle East & Africa, Silversea Cruises said: “We are all in this together with our valued trade partners and we are committed to supporting them through these difficult times. RCL Cares says exactly that – we care about our trade partners.” David Duff, commercial director, Azamara Club Cruises comments: “If we can take any positives from this challenging time, I hope that it will bring us even closer to our trade partners via initiatives such as RCL Cares. We will continue to build on this site, using the platform to offer any support we can. ” See rclcares.co.uk/index.html
May 2020 | Forward CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival plots August 1 return with eight ships Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it intends to start cruising again from August 1 with eight ships operating out of Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston. All other North American ports and Australian cruises will not operate until August 31. Carnival Dream, Freedom and Vista will operate out of Galveston, Carnival Horizon, Magic and Sensation will operate out of Miami and Carnival Breeze and Elation will operate out of Port Canaveral. The line said that guests who are impacted by fresh cancellations are being notified by email. They will be offered a combined future cruise credit and onboard credit package, or a full refund. The company said: “We are taking a measured approach, focusing our return to service on select homeports where we have more significant operations that are easily accessible by car for our guests.”
MSC CRUISES
SEABOURN
Sailings suspension extended until July 10
Carnival’s ultra-luxury cruise line to protect travel base agency commissions through until 2021
MSC Cruises has extended the suspension of its cruises until July 10, as the coronavirus pandemic continues. The line had previously cancelled all cruises until May 29. MSC’s Flexible Cruise Programme will now be valid on all existing bookings between July 11 and September 30. Guests with cruises affected by the cancellation will be able to claim a future cruise credit worth 125 per cent of monies paid on any itinerary through until the end of 2021. For further details on how to claim a credit see the website. For travel agents additional information can be found at mscbook.com.
Seabourn has announced that it is to protect travel base agency commissions through to 2021. Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice president of global marketing & sales, said: “All of us at Seabourn recognise the impact that the uncertainty and circumstances have had on your business and we want to respond in a way that reinforces our support of the travel adviser community. We’re pleased to extend your 2020 base commission level forward through 2021, recognising that this year has been unlike any you have faced in the past. This action is one way we can help stabilise your long-term planning for the coming year. Our optimism and insight says business will grow and bookings will
See p10 for more on cancellations
return once again in the future.” Lynn Narraway, managing director UK & Ireland, added: “We would like to thank travel partners for their incredible support and resilience during these times. We know that commission is critical to your business and hope that by carrying your current 2020 base commission rate through into 2021 will help you with your marketing plans.” The company has extended its book with confidence policy until August 31, allowing guests the chance to receive a 100 per cent future cruise credit. On cancelled bookings, agent base commission on the original booking – when inside final payment – will be protected. Future cruise credits are also commissionable. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
7
May 2020 | Forward LINDBLAD
PROMOTIONS
Expedition line confident of return before the year is out
£499 fares introduced by Princess Cruises Princess Cruises is offering fares as low as £499 per person for seven nights as part of its Princess Sale. The offers, which are on more than 800 sailings, cover departures from December 2020 until May 2022. The sale begins on May 1 and includes cruises from the UK, Europe and a number of other worldwide destinations including Asia, the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Alaska. Sample voyages include:
•
•
•
Sven Lindblad, the CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, has said that he is confident the company will operate some cruises in 2020. A combination of the company operating small ships and remote itineraries that call at uninhabited (or sparsely populated) destinations could mean they are back operating before many of the bigger lines. The company has also given back $6.6 million in US state aid.
Lindblad added that the ability to regularly test crew and all embarking guests was essential, reported Seatrade, describing it as the “single issue… needed to reactivate”. CFO Craig Felenstein said Lindblad has “substantial reservations” for the rest of 2020. He added the company is eight per cent ahead in bookings compared to this time in 2019.
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
8
A 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise on Grand Princess, departing July 24, 2021. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton calling at Seville (Cadiz), Barcelona, Marseille, Florence/ Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Sardinia (Cagliari) and Ceuta. Prices from £1499pp. A 7-night Scandinavia cruise on Grand Princess, departing November 15, 2021. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton calling at Oslo, Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Kristiansand. Prices from £679pp. A 12-night British Isles cruise on Crown Princess, departing 26 May, 2021. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton calling at Guernsey (St Peter Port), Cork (Cobh), Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow (Greenock), Orkney Islands (Kirkwall), Invergordon, Edinburgh (South Queensferry) and Paris/Normandy (Le Havre). Prices from £1199pp.
Guests booking a cruise of three nights or longer can choose to add the ‘Princess Plus’ package for £35 per person per day. The package covers premium drinks, unlimited wi-fi and gratuities, which is worth over £70 for guests who pay for these items in advance of their cruise, or onboard.
May 2020 | Forward
Introducing the all-new cruise-adviser.com
CLIA
3,000 UK cruise jobs at risk The cruise industry generates £10 billion for the UK economy, according to new data released by Clia. “The cruise industry generates £10 billion for the UK economy each year. We understand the significant impact, therefore, that our decision to suspend operations has on the livelihoods of people who work in our sector, and on businesses that rely on the cruise industry in all parts of the country. Unfortunately, our research shows that for a 60-day suspension we can anticipate a loss of more than 3,000 UK jobs and an economic cost of £539 million to the UK,” said Andy Harmer, director, Clia UK and Ireland. The research also showed that:
•
•
A fifth of the 435,000 people employed in businesses supported by the cruise industry across Europe are based in the UK. This includes cruise line employees, supply chain workers and travel agents. In the UK, the industry supports 40,517 direct jobs paying £1.35 billion in wages, and 88,519 total jobs paying £3.05 billion in wages. For every one per cent drop in cruising in the UK, up to 530 jobs can be lost. Each day of the suspension results in the loss of 55 direct jobs and 139 total jobs in the UK.
Clia anticipates that a 60-day suspension would result in a direct economic loss of £539 million, 3,350 jobs and £714 million in wages. In total that would mean a loss of £1.43 billion, 8,359 jobs, and £454 million in wages. A 90-day suspension, would result in a direct economic loss of £888 million, 5,525 jobs, and £287million in wages. In total that would mean an economic loss of £2.37 billion, 13,788 jobs, and £746 million in wages. “Choosing to suspend operations was the right thing to do, and we know the cruise industry is resilient,” Harmer added. “We are using this time to enhance further our protocols that we will all benefit from, and we look forward to playing our part in the recovery, when the time comes for society to travel once more.” CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
9
May 2020 | Forward CANCELLATIONS
As cruise lines suspend sailings across the world, below are details of temporary changes to cancellation policies*. You can see more here and on our news pages A-Rosa
A-Rosa River Cruises has temporarily suspended all its cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Douro up to and including May 14, 2020. In a statement A-Rosa said: “We are currently liaising with all our tour operator and travel agency partners to provide them with all the latest information for their customers. We are offering free re-booking to a later date in either the 2020 or 2021 season and guests will receive an additional on board credit of €50 per person. They will also receive a special discount of 30 per cent off a future A-Rosa cruise.”
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways has suspended operations until May 31, 2020. Guests who were booked on a cruise that is being cancelled have the option of receiving a future cruise credit, equal to 115 per cent of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways, or receiving a full monetary refund. The future cruise credit is applicable on all European or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.
APT Touring
APT Touring has announced it is suspending cruises until May 31, 2020. APT said its future holiday credit is equal to 100 per cent of the value of the booking if paid in full. If not paid in full, the deposit will be held in credit with no fees. Credit is valid for travel on any APT or Travelmarvel tour or cruise up until the end of 2021. Credit can be used for multiple bookings if desired for the original traveller. Credit can be partly transferred to a person accompanying clients on the alternative trip. It is not transferable to another person, nor is it redeemable for cash.
Azamara, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity & Silversea
Royal Caribbean Cruises, which operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea, has suspended cruises until June 11, 2020.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line intends to start cruising again from August 1 with eight ships operating out of Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston. All other North American ports and Australian cruises will not operate until August 31.
Celestyal
Celestyal has suspended all cruises between now and June 29, 2020.
In a statement, the company said: “Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has decided to extend the suspension of sailings of our global fleet. We are working with our guests to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience. We are also working with our crew to sort out the issues this decision presents for them.”
In a statement, the line said: “For all named and fully paid guests impacted by this temporary suspension, Celestyal will offer the choice of either a future cruise credit valued at 120 per cent of original booking value or a refund of original amount paid. “Guests will have until the end of December 2021 to use their credit against any of our itineraries. Anyone that has not used their credit within the specified period, will automatically receive a refund equal to the original amount paid to Celestyal.” CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope has postponed all cruises until June 15, 2020. In a statement the line said: “Customers affected by cancellations can rebook their cruise or receive a refund credit note valid for 18 months from the date of issue, which can be redeemed against bookings made before December 15, 2021, on any cruise subject to availability.”
*correct as of May 5, 2020
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
10
Ma 2020 | Forward Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Cruise & Maritime Voyages has suspended all cruises until May 23, 2020. All affected passengers will be offered an future cruise credit voucher of 125 per cent of the value of their cruise, plus added value benefits. This credit voucher can be used against the best deal of the day including the current 2021 buy one get one free offers and 2020 late saver deals.
Crystal
Crystal has cancelled ocean and river voyages up to and including June 30, 2020. Crystal is offering a 100 per cent refund of cruise fare, port charges, taxes, and fees paid, and any air and hotel packages booked through Crystal. Or, a future cruise credit equal to 125 per cent of the cruise fare paid – valid on any Crystal experience (Ocean, River, Yacht or Expedition) embarking until December 31, 2022 – along with a refund of port charges, taxes and fees, and air and hotel packages booked through Crystal. If guests are unable to redeem the future cruise credit by December 31, 2022, they may request a refund of the original cruise fare paid.
Cunard & P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises and Cunard have suspended any new cruises until July 31, 2020. P&O is offering all guests impacted by the suspension a 125 per cent future cruise credit, which must be used by the end of March 2022.
Emerald Waterways/ Scenic
The Scenic Group (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises) has suspended all river cruise operations until June 30, 2020. For guests whose river cruise departures are within this period of suspended operations, the Scenic Group is offering the choice of either a future travel credit valued at 125 per cent of the booking, or the option of a refund to the value of the amount paid. Guests choosing a future travel credit will have up to 24 months to travel on a Scenic Group river cruise.
Fred Olsen Cruise Line
Fred Olsen Cruise Line has suspended its operations until June 3, 2020. The line has updated its Booking Reassurance Guarantee, so that it extends to all cruises departing in 2020. Guests can transfer to any 2020/21/22 cruise by giving at least 14 days notice prior to departure.
G Adventures
G Adventures has suspended all tours until May 31, 2020. This excludes the Norwegian expedition departure – Norwegian Arctic Encompassed – on May 29, 2020. Any traveller booked on a tour departing between those dates will be eligible for a 110 per cent travel credit of all land services, including pre or post nights and transfers, which can be used on any tour departing within the next two years.
Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten has suspended its global expedition cruise operations until May 12, 2020 and its Norwegian coastal cruises until May 20, 2020. Guests booked on sailings before September 30 2020, can be rebook for a later date free of charge.
Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises has suspended all cruises until June 30, 2020. In a statement the line said: “All customers affected will be proactively notified and automatically issued a full refund.”
MSC
MSC Cruises has suspended all sailings until July 10, 2020. MSC Cruises UK & Ireland is offering guests affected by the cancellations a future cruise credit of 125 per cent to be used on a future cruise through to the end of 2021.
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
11
May 2020 | Forward Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania & Regent
The three Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands have suspended operations until June 30, 2020. “The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our highest priority. With the Covid-19 coronavirus impacting communities around the globe, we have enacted a voluntary temporary suspension of cruise voyages across our brands effective immediately,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We understand the inconvenience that this disruption may cause our guests and travel partners during these quickly evolving and challenging times, and we appreciate their understanding as we partner with local, state, federal and global agencies to combat the spread of Covid-19.”
Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin has cancelled sailings up until May 7, 2020. Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering a future cruise credit valid for 18 months.
Ponant
Ponant has suspended cruises until May 14, 2020. In a statement, the line said: “New bookings made on sailings departing in 2020 will only require a 10 per cent deposit. Guests may cancel up to 30 days prior to departure without penalty. Additionally, for new bookings on 2020, 2021 and 2022 sailings, guests may cancel up to 90 days after confirmation and receive a full refund or a future cruise credit. For existing bookings, final payment is relaxed by 30 days. For example, if final payment was due 60 days before departure, it is now due 30 days before.”
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises has suspended operations until June 30, 2020. The line has extended its Cruise with Confidence offer to departures up to July 31, 2020, allowing guests to cancel up to 48 hours before sailing. They will receive a future cruise credit to the value of the cancellation fee. The line has also extended their offer of a 60-day final payment date. For cruises departing between August 1 and October 15, 2020, guests can cancel up to 30 days before sailing and receive a future cruise credit to the amount of their cancellation fee.
Riviera Travel
Riviera has suspended all holidays until June 1, 2020. In a statement, the company said: “If our mutual customers are departing before this date you will receive a email asking you to contact our reservations team on 01283 744370 to discuss their options. With the situation changing all the time we are monitoring it closely and will update further accordingly.”
Saga
Saga has suspended its ocean cruises onboard Saga Sapphire and Spirit of Discovery until June 1, 2020. Guests booked during this period are being offered a future cruise credit to the value of the cruise plus 25 per cent. This means that if passengers choose to amend a booking to a future date, they will receive the full amount paid for the cruise, plus an extra 25 per cent that will be transferred to that booking. Alternatively, they can receive a voucher for this amount to be redeemed against any future Saga cruise. This future cruise credit will last for a period of 24 months.If for any reason passengers are unable to use the future cruise credit, Saga will automatically issue a refund equal to the original amount paid for the cruise when the voucher expires. Alternatively, Saga can issue a refund in full, equal to the amount paid.
Seabourn
Seabourn has cancelled all cruises due to depart up until June 30, 2020. Seabourn guests on impacted voyages will receive a 125 per cent refund of the fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit, which can be applied toward any future cruise through December 31, 2021
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
12
May 2020 | Forward Titan
Titan has suspended all tour and cruise departures until June 1, 2020. In a statement, the company said: All travellers affected will be issued with a refund credit note which can be used to rebook their holiday with the following discount options under Titan’s ‘Peace Of Mind’ policy, with no cancellation or amendment fee: £50pp off any UK short break; £125pp off any river cruise or European tour (excluding UK short breaks); £200pp off any ocean or long-haul tour. If customers don’t use their refund credit note by July 31 2020, they’ll be entitled to request a full monetary refund.”
Uniworld
Uniworld has suspended all European itineraries until June 30, 2020, offering booked guests the opportunity to move their reservation to another itinerary in 2020 or 2021. They also have the option to receive a future cruise credit, which is eligible for the next 24 months. In a statement, Uniworld said: “If you have a booking on one of these suspended voyages, please know that you may rebook your travel dates to any 2020 or 2021 cruise or receive a future cruise credit eligible to be used during the next 24 months.”
Viking
Viking has suspended all ocean and river cruises until June 30, 2020. In a statement, the Tor Hagen, the company’s chairman said: “For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering the choice of a future cruise voucher valued at 125 per cent of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. “Guests will have 24 months to use their future cruise voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, we will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These future cruise vouchers will also be fully transferable.”
Virgin
Virgin Voyages has delayed its showcase tour and inaugural season until July 15, 2020 with its maiden voyage taking place on August 7, 2020. The company is offering various options for those already booked – from full refunds and voyage credits to “extra special bonuses for those who book future sailings”.
Windstar
Windstar has temporarily suspended its operations until June 30, 2020. Guests on cancelled cruises receive the choice of a future cruise credit valued at 125 per cent of all monies paid to Windstar Cruises or a refund equal to the amount paid on the Windstar booking. Guests have 24 months to book and embark on any available Windstar cruise using their future cruise credit. In addition, Windstar has launched a new Travel Assurance Booking Policy, which is applicable to new and existing cruises departing through December 31, 2021. Travellers who cancel a cruise booking up to 15 days prior to departure will receive a 100 per cent future cruise credit to be used on another Windstar departure within one year of the issue date of the credit. The offer is for cruise fares only.
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
13
May 2020 | Forward
PORTS OF CALL
Avignon Anthony Pearce makes a stop at the popular Rhône destination, whose medieval sites and cultural calendar come with an irresistible Mediterranean vibe In happier, more normal times, one balmy night in Avignon, encouraged and joined by a trio of drunken Californians and a couple from Ottawa, I headed off the SS Catherine, around 11pm, water bottles filled with wine, to sing Sur le Pont d’Avignon under the French city’s most famous bridge, the Pont Saint-Benezet (pictured right). I was only vaguely familiar with the song – and completely unaware of the accompanying dance – but the Ottowans, from French-speaking Canada, couldn’t be more excited. “We sang this every day in school,” they explained breathlessly. “It’s incredible to finally see it.” The bridge, a Unesco World Heritage Site that dates (in its current form) back to 1234, I was more familiar with. Abandoned in the mid 17th century, as its arches kept collapsing every time the Rhône flooded, it now only spans half of the river – somehow adding to its beauty, particularly at sunset or when illuminated at night. British
guests won’t be drawn by the song, but many will be familiar with the landmark, which sits on the outside of the walled city’s boundaries. There is plenty inside the walls that make Avignon the biggest draw on any Rhône cruise – although Lyon, Arles, Viviers and, well, every call make this such a special itinerary. It’s telling that cruise lines mostly use Avignon on their marketing materials. The city is actually much bigger than most realise, but of its 90,000 inhabitants, only 12,000 live in the ancient city centre, encircled by the medieval ramparts. During the Avignon Papacy, between 1309 and 1377, seven successive popes resided in Avignon. The influence is still apparent today – Papal control lasted until 1791 when, during the French Revolution, it became part of France – making the Palais des Papes and the cathedral the must-see sights for many visitors. One of the joys of a Rhône cruise – particularly when paired with a
14
Seine sailing as many, particularly Americans, are wont to do – is taking in the shifting culture and geography of France, a country that is more than twice as large as the UK but with the same population. Avignon is distinctly Mediterranean in feel, due to the Roman architecture, hot weather and fresh food. Provençal cuisine is simple and full of flavour, making good use of fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, saffron, peppers and olives, with herbcrusted fish often on the menu. This being Provence, it’s rude not to enjoy it all with a glass of rosé. If your guests are there in July, the Avignon Festival, founded in 1947, is a cultural highlight (this year’s is sadly cancelled), featuring theatre, dance, music and cinema. About 100,000 people attend the festival each year, dividing their attention between the Festival In, which presents plays inside the Palais des Papes, and the Festival Off, made up of as-yet undiscovered plays and street performances.
May 2020 | Forward
GLOBETRENDER Are you prepared for the needs and desires of Generation Z? Future-proof your travel company with expert trend forecasting Download Globetrender's Gen Z Horizons report and stay ahead of the competition
Are you prepared for the needs and desires of Generation Z? How about Generation Alpha?
Travel is one of the world’s biggest industries – and it’s only going to get bigger. Globetrender offers bespoke trend forecasting and research services to inspire, inform and guide you in your decision-making. If you would like an individual consultation on how to ready yourself for the next decade, email editor and founder Jenny Southan jenny@globetrender.com. For news and features check out our online magazine globetrender.com and sign up for our newsletter.
GLOBETRENDER
INDIA
Straight from the source Sam Ballard takes a trip with Uniworld on the Ganges, pausing to soak up life and lore along India’s sacred waterway
There we were, balancing on one leg, as the sun rose above the river, lighting up the verdant landscape. We were in the middle of our first sunrise yoga session on board Uniworld’s Ganges Voyager II and I was already enthralled by India. I had wanted to visit for years. My grandfather was born in India. It was also the country where he met my grandmother after she moved there from Burma (Myanmar). She married him and moved to England – and the rest, as they say, is history. I have grown up hearing the names of muchloved Indian aunts and uncles and learning of their exploits. India has always felt both foreign and familiar. Our Uniworld adventure would see us leave from Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) on a round-trip, visiting small market towns, villages, ancient
sites and one extremely large new one. Over the next eight days we would witness the reverence that Indians hold for the Ganges and learn just how intrinsic it is to everyday life – from bathing and washing clothes to hosting cremations. There is a reason why Indians call the Ganges “Mother Ganga”. Within a few minutes of arriving, and slightly delirious after the long flight, a bindi is daubed on our foreheads, we’re given a garland from the nearby flower market and handed a glass of champagne. Our butler introduces himself and asks us to choose from a tray of handmade soaps. This ship might not have been built by Uniworld, but all of the luxurious touches are there. The Ganges Voyager II is decked out in exquisite colonial furniture. The
well-shaded sun deck has beautifully made sunloungers, rattan armchairs and sofas – and everything is made to the highest quality. More importantly, the attentive crew are always on hand to offer guests a cooling beverage to help aid an afternoon spent reading and watching the world go by. Every stateroom on board the 56-guest ship is a suite, from the Signature (25 square metres) through to the palatial Maharaja (37 square metres) – one of the biggest suites I’ve ever seen on a river ship. However, every suite on board feels like it is in a five-star hotel. Glass bottles of water are replenished throughout the day, taking plastic out of the supply chain. We depart from Kolkata without setting foot in the city, but will spend two days here at the end of the trip.
May 2020 | Midship Our fellow travellers, a mix of Brits, Australians and Americans, have just finished a tour of the Golden Triangle, visiting Jaipur and the Taj Mahal. We could only do the cruise portion so join them part way through their holiday. All guests safely aboard, we cast off. In Kalna, our first stop, we board a rickshaw to Shiv Mandir, a temple made up of 108 shrines sat within beautifully manicured gardens. We walk back to the ship through the local market, following our tour leader, Sujoy, through the town’s winding streets. We walk past rows of men scaling fish on large metal hooks and women sitting among piles of exotic fruit and vegetables – and all of the wonderful chaos you associate with a market. The colours, noise and smells are our first real taste of how the country is such an assault on your senses. It is dizzying. Back on board our vessel, we sail gently down the river for the rest of the afternoon. It’s an easy routine to become accustomed to. Shore excursions on the Ganges are rarely longer than a couple of hours – sometimes once a day, sometimes twice – meaning that you’re rarely exhausted from a day of exploring. However, there is always something fascinating to see while on board, whether it’s a herd of buffalo being shepherded into the river to cool off, groups of women doing laundry in brightly coloured saris, or cremation sites with smoke gently drifting out of them. The food on board is fantastic and every meal is in the East India Restaurant, another nod to the colonial style of the ship. Dishes such as Bengali-style slow cooked lamb and tarka dal are presented with fantastic flourishes next to western dishes that look dull in comparison. We are told we can order what we like, so request some of our favourite Indian dishes – lamb rogan josh and a pile of vegetarian samosas are produced the next night, much to the envy of our fellow diners. One afternoon we stop off for a couple of hours in Baranagar, where there is a small collection of Hindu temples inlaid with beautiful carvings covering every surface. Many of the CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
20
May 2020 | Midship
Above and below: Kolkata’s flower market; Bottom left: the Hare Krishna temple at Mayapur; Top left; a Hindu temple at Baranagar; Centre: a suite and the deck on board
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
21
crew have come off the ship for a game of cricket: front of house versus kitchen. We watch the guys enjoy some downtime on the village pitch before being invited on and getting a bit of time at the crease – all the while watching out for stray cows wandering onto the field. Mayapur is by far the most unusual place we visit. The skyline is dominated by a huge temple being built by the Hare Krishnas, which they claim will be bigger than the Vatican and taller than any Hindu temple on Earth. It is being financed by the great-grandson of Henry Ford, who says the faith helped him along the path to redemption. The complex has more than 5,000 people living in it, 1,500 of them foreigners. Our tour guide, an Australian woman who has lived here for 40 years, introduces us to other Hare Krishnas as we tour the area, with one exclaiming proudly: “Welcome to the happiest place on Earth!” We step over worshippers lying prostrate and around crowds of the devoted chanting and listening to their spiritual leaders. It can’t help but feel quite cultish. Kolkata is pure mayhem. The flower market – the biggest in all of Asia – is heaving. We snake through the crowds, past merchants carrying huge sacks of flowers on their heads, ducking as they swerve past us in both directions. The colours are amazing, especially the fragrant curtains of garlands that are balanced on the shoulders of workers. In the afternoon we visit the Mother House of Missionaries of Charity, where Mother Teresa lived, worked and was laid to rest. Afterwards, the group stops off at Nirmala Shishu Bhavan children’s home. It was the one negative on an otherwise flawless trip – children should not be tourist attractions. Our Indian adventure comes to an end, and not too soon either. Within a few days of us arriving home, the Indian government stops all inbound travel as the coronavirus pandemic puts the world on lockdown. I’ll never forget my trip to India and hopefully it won’t be too long before I – and you – can explore more of this fascinating country.
CHILE
The forces of nature Emma Love cruises the remote Chilean side of Patagonia, where mountains loom, glaciers calve and wildlife thrives uninterrupted
May 2020 | Midship With pelting sideways rain and morning mist hanging low over the grey gritty beach and red moss-covered bog behind, it feels like a particularly grim day in the Scottish Highlands rather than summer in South America. Scudding clouds obscure the Marinelli Glacier in the distance as my hardy, waterproof-clad group tramp single file along a stream through the squelching mud before arriving, suddenly, in a fairytale-like beech forest. A waterfall gushes down a sheer rock face covered in glistening apple green lichen and we stop for a moment in silence, to look up and take it in. This is Patagonia, where the weather – and the mesmerising landscapes – can change in a heartbeat. The night before, the 200-passenger Stella Australis had set sail from Punta Arenas, crossing the Strait of Magellan, which was discovered 500 years ago by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan when he was searching for a sea route to the Spice Islands. The strait not only links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it also separates mainland Chile from the islands of Tierra del Fuego – some of which are explored on this back-to-nature four-day cruise around the fjords (the company has another identical ship, Ventus Australis, and offers the route in reverse, with different calling points). One factor that sets Australis apart is its agreement with CEQUA (Centre of Quaternary Studies Fuego-Patagonia and Antarctica) – during voyages, the ships gather environmental data, such as water temperature, and in return scientists share the results with the crew. We visit the Tucker Islets, where more than 4,000 Magellanic penguins return each year to nest and give birth. From Zodiacs on the water, it’s easy to spot the fluffy juveniles. Afterwards, as we make our way to the ship, we pass cormorants perched on cliff ledges, a colony of noisily barking sea lions lolling on the rocks and a handful of playful dolphins that follow the Zodiacs, darting under the stern before leaping in the air again and again. The next day is all about glaciers, kicking off with a stop in the Pia Fjord. As always with Australis, there are several excursion options of varying physical difficulty, but in this instance, all offer the same mind-bending view CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
24
May 2020 | Midship
Previous page: rock cormorants on the Tucker Islets; Left: the Darwin Mountains; Above: a whale breaches alongside Stella Australis; Bottom: Cape Horn, the final island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
25
of the jagged 50-metre tall ice wall that forms the main Pia Glacier. Chunks of ice float in the green glassy water below, framed by beech forests, blue skies and snow-dusted peaks. Somewhere in the distance the glacier calves and the sound echoes like gunfire. Back on board, the ship continues along the Glacier Alley stretch of the Beagle Channel, where a series of tidewater glaciers flow down from the Darwin Mountains on the north side. There’s a party-like atmosphere among the passengers (a mostly European bunch; the majority are on the cruise as part of a longer trip to the continent). Some stay inside sipping champagne while others stand on deck, gawping at the epic, cinematic scenery. Partly it’s to do with having had such a fantastic day, but it’s also the anticipation for what lies ahead: the chance to land on legendary Cape Horn, the final island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at what is virtually the end of the world. However, the next day it isn’t to be. Although Australis achieves landing eight out of ten times, the Drake Passage lives up to its notorious reputation for rough seas. The captain waits as long as possible to see if the wind and swell will subside, but the only ones benefitting from the whipping gusts are the birds – blackbrowed albatross, rock cormorants – soaring high then swooping low to skim the white caps of the water. Instead, we pass the morning with interesting talks on glaciers and indigenous tribes. To reach the final stop, we navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands, then drop anchor at Wulaia Bay, once home to one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlement. Their story is told through the displays in the museum and on a hike through the forest to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. I might not have physically stepped foot on Cape Horn but this final pause, looking down on mountains and tranquil waters, and yellow grasses that appear golden in the afternoon sun, sums up what feels like a privileged journey through this utterly remote, pristine part of the world. Australis offers four-night cruises from September to April, from £1,320 per person; australis.com
1 edition. £2.3m in revenue A single issue of Explore, a publication created for Advantage Travel Partnership by Waterfront, generated more than 600 bookings*. Find out about creating your own loyalty magazine by emailing info@waterfront-publishing.com
F E AT U R E S | R O O M SE RVI CE ME N U | SH O R E E XCU R SI O N S
ISSUE ONE
GLOBE
ISSUE FOUR
THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES
Explore Issue One
December 2016
M A R C H 201 8
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY
*Source: Travel Weekly, November 2017
Jeannine Williamson joins CroisiEurope in the heart of Prague, before exploring the lesser-known Elbe en route to Berlin PLUS 10 OF THE BEST WILDLIFE CRUISES EXCLUSIVE RITZ-CARLTON INTERVIEW CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES IN AMSTERDAM
BRILLIANT BANGKOK INFOCUS: INTREPID COACH VS CRUISE HOW TO SELL: SOLO TRAVEL
WHY THE THAI CAPITAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BACKPACKER HAVEN
CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME
ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS
EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK
WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS
HOW TO SELL
After lockdown
SELLING TIP – Few people can resist a bargain so get your best offers – discounts and perks – out there now
Jane Archer is the authority on all things cruise. This issue, she looks at how we rebuild the cruise industry after restrictions are lifted on travel following the pandemic
Seasoned cruisers
p28
‘Win-back’ guests
p29
Millennials
p30
No one knows how cruise will fare once the Covid-19 pandemic has been contained and free movement begins again. Evidence from 9/11 and the Costa Concordia tragedy (and comments by cruisers caught up on ships stuck at sea when ports closed during the latest crisis) suggests regular cruisers – the folk who book onto their
favourite line’s new ship before they even know where it is going – can’t wait to get back on board. The big unknown is first-timers, and specifically those who were close to booking a cruise before the virus struck, and the millennials that in pre-Covid-19 days cruise lines were confident could be lured into spending their holidays at
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
27
sea. Memories are short and few people can resist a good deal, but while cutting prices will help, it is not a long-term solution for sustainable growth. We look at how agents can get regular, maybe and millennial cruisers on board again, focusing on 2021 as there is still much uncertainty about when cruising will restart.
May 2020 | Midship
Seasoned cruisers No one can be complacent about future cruise bookings, but evidence from previous disasters shows that seasoned cruisers will be back on ships once lockdowns and travel restrictions are lifted. The question is what kind of cruise they’ll want. After such a deadly pandemic, it is likely that people will want ease of travel, the comfort of familiar surroundings and to stay close to home, which all suggests a good starting point is to offer a cruise from the UK.
Luxury Who? Oceania Cruises Where? Round Britain When? May 22, 2021 How long? 12 days How much? From £2,969pp cruise-only Round Britain cruises are a great way to stay close to home. This cruise, round-trip from Southampton on the 684-passenger Sirena, visits England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and also pops into Tórshavn in Denmark. Prices include six excursions and $600 onboard credit per couple.
British style Who? Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Where? Norwegian fjords When? April 1, 2021 How long? Eight nights How much? From £1,149pp cruise-only Whether clients hope to glimpse the northern
lights, see the fjords spring into bloom or witness the midnight sun, Fred Olsen has an ex-UK cruise to Norway to suit. This is a springtime special aboard Braemar round-trip from Southampton that pairs scenic fjord cruising with calls into Bergen, Eidfjord, Olden and Stavanger.
More inclusive Who? Saga Cruises Where? Mediterranean When? March 7, 2021 How long? 15 nights How much? From £3,199pp cruise-only This in-depth exploration of Spain is on board Saga’s new 999-passenger ship, Spirit of Adventure. It sails round-trip from Southampton, calls into seven ports in Spain and offers cruisers (who must be aged 50 and over) optional trips to watch flamenco, visit Moorish palaces and learn to cook paella. Prices include UK transfers, drinks, tips, wifi and travel insurance.
SELLING TIP – Focus on 2021 itineraries staying close to home to ease hesitant clients gently back into cruise
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
28
May 2020 | Midship
‘Win-back’ guests Back in the good old days, poll after poll showed thousands of holidaymakers attracted to the idea of a cruise but nervous about making the commitment. Once this crisis is over, they are the ones cruise lines desperately need and agents are going to have to work hard to win back. Focusing on small ships, unusual lines and inspiring destinations that have not been at the forefront of the news will be just the tonic to get these people thinking about cruise once again.
Small ship Who? Variety Cruises Where? Spain and Portugal When? August 14, 2021 How long? Eight days How much? From €1,950pp including flights With room for an average of just 50 passengers, Variety’s ships are great for first-timers who can be persuaded back to the idea of a cruise provided it’s a great itinerary and small ship. This cruise, from Portimao to Malaga, includes calls into Motril, Puerto Banus and Seville. Prices include pre- and post-cruise transfers.
Working ship Who? Aranui Where? South Pacific When? March 4, 2021 How long? 13 days How much? From €4,581pp cruise-only Aranui’s half-cargo, halfpassenger vessel, Aranui 5, has the advantage of
being based in a remote area away from the Covid-19 headlines. The island-hopping cruise is from Papeete in Tahiti to the Marquesas, with a chance to learn about local life, swim, snorkel, hike and more on voyages almost every day. Prices include wine with meals and selected excursions.
Expedition ship Who? Lindblad Expeditions Where? Baja California When? April 12, 2021 How long? Eight days How much? From $6,690pp cruise-only This is a wildlife expedition that just happens to be on a ship, which is the only way to get to many of the uninhabited islands visited and where passengers can hike, snorkel with sea lions and spot dolphins, pelicans and lizards. The cruise is round-trip from Loreto on the 100-passenger National Geographic Venture. Prices include soft drinks and use of snorkels and kayaks.
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
29
SELLING TIP – Sell the joy of multiple port calls to attract clients who can’t decide where to go once they can travel again
May 2020 | Midship
Millennials Much cruise talk last year focused on millennials being likely cruise converts. With their penchant for experiences over possessions and love of travel, they seemed a perfect fit. The catch has been convincing them of that, and that is probably even more the case after Covid-19. Promotions focusing on brands they know and ships that provide Instagrammable moments combined with enticing destinations and irresistible deals is a good place to start.
Adults only Who? Virgin Voyages Where? Caribbean When? February 28, 2021 How long? Five nights How much? From £955pp cruise-only The Virgin name and the new line’s aim to distance itself from the traditional cruise concept (think food court diners and drag brunches) will appeal to many. This cruise, on Virgin’s debut ship Scarlet Lady, is round-trip from Miami to the Dominican Republic. Prices include all dining, soft drinks, water, wifi and tips.
Modern luxury Who? Celebrity Cruises Where? Caribbean When? February 20, 2021 How long? Seven nights How much? From £799pp cruise-only A ship that was delivered virtually from the shipyard, sports a Magic
Carpet that transforms into a swanky restaurant, and has two-storey villas and designer cabins is a dream fit for millennials – especially if you throw in a Caribbean backdrop. The ship is Celebrity Apex, the cruise is round-trip from Fort Lauderdale with calls into Puerto Rico, St Thomas and St Kitts.
All-inclusive Who? Scenic Where? Caribbean/ Central America When? October 4, 2021 How long? 14 days How much? From £8,793pp including flights From diving in a submarine to floating on a bamboo raft, this is the ultimate Caribbean cruise. The voyage, from Nassau in the Bahamas to Cartagena in Colombia on the 228-passenger yacht Scenic Eclipse is not cheap, but if millennials can be persuaded to splash out they’ll have a spectacular experience and find all bar that sub, helicopter rides and the spa included.
SELLING TIP – Remember the key sales message: cruisers unpack once and wake in a different destination every day
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
30
May 2020 | Aft
DIRECTORY Got a cruise query? Let us assist you. The cruise adviser directory provides you with the vital contact details for all major cruise lines operating in the UK – meaning trade sales support is never more than a phone call away
CRUISE LINES!
Information missing or out of date? Email info@cruise-adviser.com
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
31
May 2020 | Aft A
C
A-Rosa River Cruises Simon McDermott, business development manager 07340 719746 simon.mcdermott@arosa-cruises.co.uk Amadeus River Cruises Sukie Rapal, head of river 0800 035 0237 sales@americancruiselines.co.uk AmaWaterways Jamie Loizou, sales, marketing and digital director 033 3305 3902 jamieloizou@amawaterways.com American Cruise Lines Sukie Rapal, head of river 0800 035 0237 sales@americancruiselines.co.uk American Queen Steamboat Company Rupert Thomson, managing director 01223 568 904 r.thomson@aqgsa.com APT Touring Jessica Shelton-Agar, national sales manager 01494 736 147/07584 057 341 jessica.shelton-agar@aptouring.co.uk Aurora Expeditions Talia Schwartzman, sales executive +61 2 9252 1033 agents@auroraexpeditions.co.uk Craig Upshall, sales director UK/Europe 07824 305 232 craig@auroraexpeditions.co.uk Australis Silvia Vizzoni, business development manager 07506 012 835 silvia@australis.com Avalon Waterways Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk Azamara Lori Scanella, business support executive 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com
Carnival Cruise Line Luke Smith, head of UK & international sales 020 7378 4660 carnivalsalesuk@carnival.com Celebrity Cruises Nicola McNeish, head of sales – planning & activation 07919 540017 mcneish@celebritycruises.com Celestyal Cruises Jo Reid, UK and Ireland country manager 07368 207 881 J.reid@celestyalcruises.uk Coral Expeditions Elizabeth Webb, international sales manager salesmngr@coralexpeditions.com Cosmos Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@cosmos.co.uk CroisiEurope John Fair, sales director 020 8328 1281 jfair@croisieurope.com Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime.com Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Cruising Excursions Kirsty Bachelor, trade sales manager 07784 357977 Kirsty.Bachelor@cruisingexcursions.com Cunard Line Victoria Snelgar, business manager – sales operations 07773 253 279 victoria.snelgar@cunard.co.uk
D
B
Disney Cruise Line Juliet Holden, account executive 080 0171 2317 juliet.holden@disney.com
Belmond Yann Guezennec, worldwide director of sales & marketing, trains & cruises 020 3117 1395 yann.guezennec@belmond.com
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
32
May 2020 | Aft Heritage Line Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com Holland America Line James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8600 james.scott@hollandamerica.co.uk
E
Emerald Waterways Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk European Waterways Mark Robinson, sales and reservations manager 01753 598 555 sales@europeanwaterways.com E-Waterways Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com Exotic Heritage Group Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com
Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8600 lucy.harris@hollandamerica.co.uk Hurtigruten Anthony Daniels, UK general manager 020 8846 2666 anthony.daniels@hurtigruten.com I
Intrepid Travel Joanna Reeve, tailor-made manager EMEA 0808 274 5179 joanna.reeve@intrepidtravel.com.
F
Far Horizon Sukie Rapal, head of river 0800 035 3189 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Geoff Ridgeon, head of sales 01473 746164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk Fred River Cruises Sukie Rapal, head of river 0800 035 3189 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk
J
JTA Travel Dave Green, managing director 0121 508 5567 dave.green@jtatravel.co.uk K
Katarina Line Olivera Lesinger, head of UK & overseas +38 5 51 603 409 olivera@katarina-line.hr
G
G Adventures Stuart Darnley, national sales manager 07964 983 842 sdarnley@gadventures.com Great Rail Journeys Lindsay Dixon, head of trade sales 01904 527 180 lindsaydixon@greatrail.com
L
Latin Routes Jessica Dennison, director 020 8546 6222 info@latinroutes.co.uk Leger Holidays Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales 01709 385 811 retail.sales@leger.co.uk Lindblad Expeditions Jacinta McEvoy vice-president global sales +1 212 261 9000 jacintam@expeditions.com Lotus Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com
H
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Aishling McLoughlin, sales representative UK & Ireland 07852 488 471 aishling.mcloughlin@hl-cruises.com Hebridean Island Cruises Lisa White, reservations manager 01756 704 704 lisa.white@hebridean.co.uk
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
33
May 2020 | Aft Pandaw Sukie Rapal, head of river 020 8396 7320 uk@pandaw.com Paukan Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com Paul Gaugin Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Pearl Seas Cruises Susan Shultz, director of sales +1 203 458 5280 susan.shultz@pearlseascruises.com Ponant Nabil Maillard, sales manager UK and Ireland 020 7092 6663 nmaillard@ponant.com Poseidon Expeditions Alexandra Prokopyeva, sales and marketing 020 3808 7787 sales@poseidonexpeditions.com Ports Direct Karl Lapage, managing director 0843 0843 003 karl@portsdirect.co.uk Princess Cruises Gemma Withers, sales operations manager 023 8065 6607 gemma.withers@princesscruises.co.uk Pullmantur Cruises Simon Chambers, operations manager 0800 988 3369 sales@fredholidays.co.uk
M
The Majestic Line Louisa Grant, cruise co-ordinator 01369 707951 louisa@themajesticline.co.uk Manatee Amazon Explorer Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com Marella Cruises Andrew Isherwood, commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@tui.co.uk Mรถvenpick Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com MSC Cruises Victoria Taylor, sales operations manager 020 7092 8182 ukinsidesales@msccruises.co.uk N
National Geographic Expeditions Simon Chambers, operations manager 0800 988 3369 sales@fredholidays.co.uk Nicko Cruises Rupert Thomson, managing director 01223 568904 rupert@lightbluetravel.co.uk Noble Caledonia Agency sales, 020 7752 0000 agencysales@noble-caledonia.co.uk Norwegian Cruise Line Eamonn Ferrin, VP & managing director for UK & Ireland 023 8124 5000 eferrin@ncl.com
Q
Quark Expeditions Christiane Bach, business development manager +1 416 645 8248 christiane.bach@quarkexpeditions.com
O
Oceania Cruises Lisa Clarkson, national accounts manager 07809 351 545 LClarkson@OceaniaCruises.Com agency sales, 0345 505 1920 AgencySales@OceaniaCruises.Com
R
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Caroline Moody, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com Anna Salter, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com
P
P&O Cruises Brodie McIntosh, trade engagement manager 023 8065 5780 brodie.mcintosh@cunardpocruises.com
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
34
May 2020 | Aft Riviera Travel Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager 01283 744 307 agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk Rocky Mountaineer Steven Harris, regional sales director 07970 519 164 sharris@rockymountaineer.com Royal Caribbean International Trade support team 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com
Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 012 9345 0726; 078 3465 2135 edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk Touchdown | Travel Industry Services Robbie White, head of cruise product 020 8607 3805 rwhite@touchdown.co.uk Travel2 Colin Currie, head of sales 07891 257 160 colin.currie@travel2.com Travelsphere & Just You Sarah Weetman, head of trade sales 07748 843 244 sarah.weetman@travelsphere.co.uk
S
Saga Travel Trade support team tradesupport@saga.co.uk Scenic Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk Seabourn James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8610 james.scott@seabourn.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8610 lucy.harris@seabourn.co.uk SeaCloud Anja Ringel, vice-president, international marketing and sales +49 40 3095 9217 aringel@seacloud.com SeaDream Yacht Club Mark Schmitt, sales director 07904 068 407 mschmitt@seadream.com Shearings Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com Star Clippers Danielle Dudley, UK sales manager 077 6585 2116 danielle@starclippers.co.uk
U
Uniworld Angela Sloan, key account manager 0808 168 9110 angela.sloan@uniworld.com V
Variety Cruises Chris Lorenzo, managing director, Seafarer Cruises 020 8324 3114 info@seafarerholidays.co.uk Victoria Cruises Tom Antonucci, sales manager +1 212 818 1680 tom@victoriacruises.com Victory Cruise Lines Rupert Thomson, managing director 01223 568904 rupert@lightbluetravel.co.uk Viking Cruises Andrew Schweitzer, key account manager (south) 07825 986 996 andrew.schweitzer@vikingcruises.com Jenny Wade, regional sales manager (north) 07966 995 012 jenny.wade@vikingcruises.com Volga Dream Sukie Rapal, head of river 0800 021 3186 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk W
Widgety Sandra Barnes-Keywood, head of sales 023 8042 8000 – opt 2 sandra@widgety.co.uk Windstar Cruises Anna Perrott Business Development Manager UK 07593 137135 anna.perrott@windstarcruises.com
T
Tauck UK country manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
35
2
YEA
PLAN THE DREAM IN THE ARCTIC AND ANTARCTICA
Dreaming and planing ahead is easy with our new relaxed booking policy for 2021 Arctic and 2021/ 2022 Antarctic programs. Free reservations hold for two months, and a reduced deposit of just 10% to confirm the trip. Plus, early booking savings are in place!
Email: sales@poseidonexpeditions.com
Phone: 0203 369 0020
Web: poseidonexpeditions.com